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Year-Round Training and the Winning Edge

The Athletic Department is proud to present the second article in a series that will outline exciting aspects of Ranney's new Athletic Strategic Plan. Ranney School recently unveiled its "21st Century Vision for the Ranney Scholar-Athlete," a vision that will infuse the school's emerging athletic mission with the hallmark of excellence that has defined its academic programs for more than 50 years.
The practice of athletes implementing workouts a month or so before pre-season sessions actually begin is long gone now that the landscape for the 21st century scholar-athlete has changed. These days, competitors must train year-round to achieve athletic excellence and, ultimately, a winning edge. For instance, it was year-round dedication from fencers like Thomas Hearne ’12 and Sam Tkach ’12 that allowed Ranney’s varsity Epee squad to capture its second consecutive NJSIAA Sectional Championship on January 29, 2012.

Regardless of whether training is basic or advanced, the Ranney athlete must develop a workout program that is geared toward continuous improvement throughout the year and aimed at maximizing overall potential during the competitive season. Engaging in continued workouts and exhibiting healthy habits in terms of diet, sleep, study and social life, as encouraged by parents and teachers, all play a vital role in athletic success at the Lower, Middle and Upper School levels. Ranney coaches — no matter what their level of athletic involvement — are dedicated to encouraging year-round participation with sport-specific training sessions, and sound strength and conditioning programs now available not only throughout the school year, but also during a special six-week training period over the summer recess.

Extensive athletic training sessions to be initiated this spring will include girls’ lacrosse and field hockey, intramural swimming, and co-ed soccer. These will enable some of Ranney’s youngest Panthers to enhance their overall technique and skill development as the Athletic Department prepares to enter the Shore Conference in the fall. Ranney’s improved Lower School training sessions will contain instruction from some of the finest coaches the Jersey Shore has to offer. While students participating in the Lower School’s lacrosse program will learn from former varsity girls’ lacrosse coach David Poupard, along with former player Veronica Maccia ’10, twice per week, those students interested in field hockey will receive instruction from Ranney’s long-time and well-respected varsity field hockey coach Eileen McEnery. Under guidance from coach McEnery, all third through fifth grade participants will readily prepare for competition at the highest level.

The Lower School’s tri-weekly swim program — led by varsity swim coach Emmett Walling — will dedicate two days a week to mastering stroke technique as well as improving the skills of swimmers when diving and turning, and host intramural meets one day per week. Organized meets will enable students to strengthen their overall ability and develop a winning edge similar to that held by Ranney’s Middle School swim team, which captured its third consecutive undefeated regular season and a boys’ Ranney School Swim Invite championship just this winter.

In addition, through a partnership with the New Jersey Wildcats Soccer Club — aimed at developing top youth soccer players — Lower School students have the option of receiving eight weeks soccer training from such elite coaches as NJ Wildcats Director Kevin McDermott, who has brought his youth teams two National Championships. To complement this wonderful program, Ranney’s varsity girls’ soccer coach Ian McNamara will also host match days every Monday afternoon. The all inclusive six-week “Monday Funday” soccer program will not only provide an opportunity to compete with others, but also instill in all fourth and fifth grade participants a love for the game and such characteristics as sportsmanship and good etiquette on and off the field.

Through hard work and determination, along with cooperation from coaches, parents and teachers, the quality of play seen in scholar-athletes of all levels can be accelerated to prepare for increased competition within the Shore Conference. Ranney School believes that athletic excellence goes hand-in-hand with a suitably designed training program. Specific elements of this renewed focus are as follows:
  • -A new training program has been designed to meet the needs of each athlete, while providing opportunities that will maximize potential in the safest, most efficient manner.

  • -A schedule allowing scholar-athletes to participate in strength and conditioning programs during Physical Education periods and after school will continue throughout the school year. Sessions will challenge the mind and body with a movement-based training program that, if used effectively, will not only prepare each athlete for optimal performance during the competitive season, but also maintain fitness on the off-season.

  • -A year-round program for each sport will not only incorporate individual athletic skills, but also those associated with team play. Opportunities for team play will be provided through several “Perfect Partnerships” with such programs as the New Jersey Wildcats Soccer Club, as mentioned earlier, and the United Lacrosse Club, which first teamed up with Ranney athletics last spring.

  • -Athletes are expected to participate in all summer training sessions, leagues, camps and clinics hosted by their respective coaches. Many varsity teams will play in local leagues throughout the summer. Special sport-specific, and speed, agility and quickness sessions will be conducted on the Ranney campus as well.

  • -The Athletic Department will encourage its athletes to take part in Club or AAU programs to assist in
    improving athletic skills.     Students participating in the Lower School girls’ lacrosse program will compete in games against recreational and club teams from the local area.
A successful year-round program complete with athletic and academic opportunities as well as training and exposure sets high standards for achieving excellence. Continued sport-specific training will challenge each athlete mentally and physically and surely provide Ranney athletes with the winning edge needed to move from good to great. Through the hard work of scholar-athletes, partnering with their coaches, parents, teachers and administrators, success can be accomplished. Coaches will communicate with their teams and individual players about specific training programs for each sport.

This article is the second in a series of articles that will further outline the exciting aspects of Ranney's new Athletic Strategic Plan. To view the first article in this series, please click here.
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Ranney School

235 Hope Road
Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
Tel. 732.542.4777
Our mission is to know and value every child, nurturing intellectual curiosity and confidence, and inspiring students to lead honorably, think creatively, and contribute meaningfully to society.